Yarn holder device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods and systems for a yarn holder device that includes a base, at least one retention member extending from the base and having a bottom side and a top side. The bottom side of the at least one retention member is engaged to the base and the top side of the at least one retention member extends upwardly from the base and contains a point.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a yarn holder device, and more generally relates to a yarn holder device having a base with at least one retention member extending generally upwardly therefrom for retentionally holding or retaining a knitting or crocheting yarn.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a yarn holder device that includes a base, at least one retention member extending from the base and having a bottom side and a top side. The bottom side of the at least one retention member is engaged to the base and the top side of the at least one retention member extends upwardly from the base and contains a point.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the yarn holder device includes at least one retention member with a constant diameter.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the yarn holder device may include three retention members.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the yarn holder device may include four retention members.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the yarn holder device may include five retention members.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the yarn holder device includes a base, two side portions extending from the base, and at least one retention member spanning between the two side portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like method steps and/or system components, respectively, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a yarn holder device;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the yarn holder device of FIG. 1 holding yarn;

FIG. 3 is perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a yarn holder device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the yarn holder device of FIG. 3 holding yarn;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a yarn holder device;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the yarn holder device of FIG. 5 holding yarn;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a yarn holder device;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the yarn holder device of FIG. 7 holding yarn;

FIG. 9 is a front view of another alternative embodiment of a yarn holder device; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of the yarn holder device of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, an improved yarn holder device is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is shown generally at reference numeral 10. The device 10 includes a base 12 with at least one upwardly extending retention member 14. The base 12 may be generally square and extends to an outer edge. The at least one upwardly extending retention member 14 extends generally upwardly from the base 12 in a generally perpendicular relationship. The retention member 14 contains a bottom side and a top side. The bottom side is engaged to the base 12 and the top side extends upwardly.

In one embodiment, the base 12 contains a hollow bore. The hollow bore has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the retention member 14 for allowing the bottom side of the retention member 14 to fit within the bore in a selectively secured arrangement. The bottom side of the retention member 14 is retained within the bore by way of friction fit. The retention member 14 may be easily removed from the base 12 for storage or easy transport. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the base 12 may contain four spaced-apart bores located in a generally square pattern on the base 12. The bottom side of four retention members 14 are inserted into the bores and held in-place by friction fit. In another alternative embodiment, an adhesive may be applied to the bore prior to inserting the bottom side of the retention member 14 for engaging the retention member 14 to the base 12.

The retention member 14 maintains a substantially constant diameter along its entire length from the bottom side and progressing in close proximity to an area in close proximity to the top side. The top side of the retention member 14 has a gradually decreasing diameter and forming a point at the end of the top side. In other words, at the top side, the retention member 14 decreases in diameter to a point or an area with a substantial reduction in diameter as compared to the rest of the retention member 14. The top side may be a point or a rounded area of reduced diameter as shown in FIG. 1.

The top side allows the yarn 18 to slide easily over top the retention member 14 as shown in FIG. 2. The yarn 18 contains an internal cavity and the yarn is wound around this internal cavity. The retention member 14 fits within the internal cavity of the yarn 18 for retaining the yarn 18 on the holder device 10. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 contains a generally square base 12 with generally rounded corners and four spaced-apart retention members 14. The yarn 18 sits perpendicular to the base 12 and sits with one end adjacent to the base 12 and the other end of the yarn 18 points up in the air.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the holder 110 contains a base 112 with at least one upwardly extending retention member 114. The base 112 may be generally square and extends to an outer edge. Five retention members 114 extend generally upwardly from the base 112 in a generally perpendicular relationship. The retention member 114 contains a bottom side and a top side. The bottom side is engaged to the base 112 and the top side extends upwardly.

In one embodiment, the base 112 contains a hollow bore. The hollow bore has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the retention member 114 for allowing the bottom side of the retention member 114 to fit within the bore in a selectively secured arrangement. The bottom side of the retention member 114 is retained within the bore by way of friction fit. The retention member 114 may be easily removed from the base 112 for storage or easy transport. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the base 112 may contain four spaced-apart bores located in a generally square pattern on the base 112 with one bore located in the center of the four spaced-apart bores. The bottom side of four retention members 114 are inserted into the bores and held in-place by friction fit. In another alternative embodiment, an adhesive may be applied to the bore prior to inserting the bottom side of the retention member 114 for engaging the retention member 114 to the base 112.

The retention member 114 maintains a substantially constant diameter along its entire length. The top side of the retention member 114 has a gradually decreasing diameter and forming a point at the end of the top side. The top side of the retention member 114 has a gradually decreasing diameter and forming a point at the end of the top side. In other words, at the top side, the retention member 114 decreases in diameter to a point or an area with a substantial reduction in diameter as compared to the rest of the retention member 114. The top side may be a point or a rounded area of reduced diameter as shown in FIG. 3.

The point allows the yarn to slide easily over top the retention member 114 as shown in FIG. 4. The retention member 114 fits within the internal cavity of the yarn for retaining the yarn on the holder device 110. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 contains a generally square base 112, with rounded corners, and five spaced-apart retention members 114.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the holder 210 contains a base 212 with three upwardly extending retention members 214. The base 212 may be generally rectangular in shape and extends to an outer edge. The outer edge may consist of a chamfered portion 220. Three retention members 214 extend generally upwardly from the base 212 in a generally perpendicular relationship. The retention member 214 contains a bottom side and a top side. The bottom side is engaged to the base 212 and the top side extends upwardly.

In one embodiment, the base 212 contains a hollow bore. The hollow bore has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the retention member 214 for allowing the bottom side of the retention member 214 to fit within the bore in a selectively secured arrangement. The bottom side of the retention member 214 is retained within the bore by way of friction fit. The retention member 214 may be easily removed from the base 212 for storage or easy transport. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the base 212 may contain three spaced-apart bores located in a generally linear pattern on the base 212. The bottom side of four retention members 214 are inserted into the bores and held in-place by friction fit. In another alternative embodiment, an adhesive may be applied to the bore prior to inserting the bottom side of the retention member 214 for engaging the retention member 214 to the base 212.

The retention member 214 maintains a substantially constant diameter along its entire length. The top side of the retention member 214 has a gradually decreasing diameter and forming a point at the end of the top side. The top side of the retention member 214 has a gradually decreasing diameter and forming a point at the end of the top side. In other words, at the top side, the retention member 214 decreases in diameter to a point or an area with a substantial reduction in diameter as compared to the rest of the retention member 214. The top side may be a point or a rounded area of reduced diameter as shown in FIG. 5.

The point allows the yarn to slide easily over top the retention member 214 as shown in FIG. 6. The retention member 214 fits within the internal cavity of the yarn for retaining the yarn on the holder device 210. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 contains a generally rectangular base 212 and three spaced-apart retention members 214.

In another alternative embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the device 310 contains a base 312 that extends to an outer edge and two upwardly extending side portions 314 extending generally upwardly in close proximity to the outer edge. The two upwardly extending side portion 314 consist of a first side portion and a second side portion. The base 312 contains two pairs of opposed edges and the first side portion 314 and second side portion 314 are disposed in close proximity to one pair of the opposed edges. A retention member 316 extends between the side portions 314. The top side of the first side portion 314 contains a bore 322 extending from a front side to a second side. The top side of the second side portion 314 contains a bore 322 extending from a front side to a second side. Each bore 322 receives an end of the retention member 316 and supports the retention member 316 above the base 312.

One end of the retention member 316 contains a stop 324 that prevents the respective end of the retention member 316 from proceeding through the bore 322. The opposed end of the retention member 316 contains a point or an area of decreased diameter as compared to the remainder of the retention member 316. The opposed end of the retention member 316 is placed through the bore 322 of the first side portion 314 and proceeds through the bore 322 of the second side portion 314. The stop 324 prevents the retention member 316 from proceeding any further once the stop contacts the front side of the first side portion 314.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the side of the retention member 316 without the stop 324 is inserted through an end of the yarn and for supporting yarn as illustrated in FIG. 8. The retention member 316 suspends the yarn 318 over-top the base 312, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

In another embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the device 410 contains a base 412 that extends to an outer edge and two upwardly extending side portions 414. The base 412 contains two pairs of opposed edges and the side portions 414 are disposed in close proximity to one pair of opposed edge. Two retention members 416 extend between the side portions 414. The top side of the side portions 414 contain two spaced-apart bores on both the side portions 414 for receiving the retention members 416 and supporting the retention members 416 above the base 412 and for supporting yarn.

The base may have any shape or form. The illustrations show a generally square or rectangular base, but the base may be, for example only, a triangle, circle, pentagon and the like. The retention members may be constructed of wood, metal, plastic or the like. Additionally, the retention member may be a knitting needle as illustrated in FIGS. 7-10.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A yarn holder device, comprising: a base; at least one retention member extending from the base and having a bottom side and a top side, wherein the bottom side is engaged to the base and the top side extends upwardly from the base and contains a diameter less than that of the bottom side.
 2. The yarn holder device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one retention member has a constant diameter along substantially its entire length.
 3. The yarn holder device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes three retention members.
 4. The yarn holder device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes four retention members.
 5. The yarn holder device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes five retention members.
 6. The yarn holder device according to claim 1, wherein the device is composed of wood.
 7. The yarn holder device according to claim 1, wherein the top side contains substantially a point.
 8. The yarn holder device according to claim 1, wherein the base contains a bore for receiving the retention member and forming a selectively secured arrangement between the base and the retention member.
 9. A yarn holder device, comprising: a base; at least two retention members extending from the base and having a bottom side and a top side, wherein the bottom side is engaged to the base and the top side extends upwardly from the base and contains a diameter less than that of the bottom side.
 10. The yarn holder device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one retention member has a constant diameter along substantially its entire length.
 11. The yarn holder device according to claim 9, wherein the device includes three retention members.
 12. The yarn holder device according to claim 9, wherein the device includes four retention members.
 13. The yarn holder device according to claim 9, wherein the device includes five retention members.
 14. The yarn holder device according to claim 9, wherein the device is composed of wood.
 15. The yarn holder device according to claim 9, wherein the top side contains substantially a point.
 16. The yarn holder device according to claim 9, wherein the base contains a bore for receiving the retention member and forming a selectively secured arrangement between the base and the retention member.
 17. A yarn holder device, comprising: a base; a first side portion extending from the base; a second side portion extending from the base; and at least one retention member spanning between the two side portions.
 18. The yard holder device according to claim 17, wherein the two side portions contain a bore for receiving the at least one retention member.
 19. The yard holder device according to claim 17, wherein the base and two side portions are composed of wood.
 20. The yard holder device according to claim 17, wherein the at least one retention member is composed of metal. 